Hi is there anyone had private blood test? I am thinking to go to my GP to ask for another blood test and include this time RF and CCP but not too sure if he will agree...
Still in pain, trying to figure it out. Got referral to physiotherapist but not sure that is the right path... the appointment is in December anyway...
You shouldn't really have to pay to go private.
I did a while ago - for my own peace of mind - a company called CityDoc. The blood test was at a local pharmacy attached to a doctor's surgery. It was quite expensive and I wasn't impressed with the technique of the man who took the blood. It was the worst blood test I've ever had!
They send the blood away for analysis and then you ring for the results, which they email to you. There are lots and lots of test to choose from including RF and anti-CCP.
I thought about it as my doc is not great. I phoned to find out how much it would cost and nearly fainted!!! Just bite the bullet and ask GP.
I know it's not the right answer, but I have always found that physiotherapists are really great, really knowledgable. They look at you as a whole, not just from one aspect. My Rheumy team aren't interested in anything 'crunchy' (OA), my physio joins all the dots up and often I have got a better understanding / view from her.
Sadly you have to keep knocking on doors and asking for answers.
I'm not sure that paying to go private is worth it, as you still have to persuade your GP to refer you if it shows anything. I think polite nagging of your GP is the way to go. You may find that he or she will only do the RF anyway, as in some areas the anti-CCP can only be ordered by a rheumatologist. BUt if you've had joint pain for more than three months, morning stiffness for about 30 minutes or more and any other signs then they really, really should do the blood test & refer you so keep on at them!
You can ask for a referral to get a private blood test at either a laboratory or a private hospital , but it would be very expensive.
if you telephone your local private hospital & ask to be connected to the pathology laboratory they will tell you the cost of both tests.
I have occasionally had appointments at a private hospital & apart from the Consultant's fee the actual hospital charge a fee. I paid £192 last year to the hospital just to sit down to have an injection......the fee for which I paid separately to the consultant....so bill was £409+!
So definitely find out cost before you proceed.
Physiotherapy can work wonders so don't discount it before you try it & understand it takes time to sort a pain you have had for a while.
The physiotherapist could arrange private blood tests for you. There is no benefit in asking the GP for private blood tests as they will be done at the same lab as your NHS tests and, in any case, blood tests cost the NHS very little so you may as well just ask the GP to repeat them on the NHS.
Be aware, though, that different labs have different normal ranges which could make a difference between positive and negative. For example, I have had abnormal thyroid tests for 15 years. In 2002, the normal range for T4 (thyroxine) was 12 to 25 and nowadays (at least in my area) it is 9 to 25. I think it is part of cost-cutting so as not to treat borderline cases. I am currently 11.
I forgot to add - make an appt to see the nurse and ask her, and she will probably do it without question. I booked a batch of private blood tests recently and had some abnormal readings including a high glucose one. I told the receptionist and she put me in to see the nurse and the nurse did a 3-month blood glucose test straight away.
I have been a lot more immobile of the last 2+ years on account of my shoulder and putting on weight. Whilst it is a good idea to keep an eye on your general health, I often take advantage of special offers to get a batch of usual blood tests (thyroid, cholesterol, glucose, liver, kidney, uric acid, red/white cell count) done cheaply but they don't generally do tests for RA and add ons can be expensive.
I just had one last week. The cheapest place was bloods direct . They send the packgage to you. You can opt to collect blood sample fron your finger yourself- I struggled with this and than when i went for my inr the nurse did it for me or you can book a phlebotomist which costs extra. Whatever tests you order Postage is £10. It goes to county pathology and you get your results in 2days . In addition the Doctor interprets them for you as well!! Good Luck
If you have elevated antibodies of RF and CCP it tells you that you do have a inflammatory process going on in your body that with a high probability will lead to RA even if your joint symptoms are not severe enough for the diagnosis to be made today. It has been shown that diatary changes may have a better chance to work at this stage. By leaving out gluten, sugar and dairy products for three weeks you will be able to see if this helps. It is really amazing for how many it has made a huge difference, but you need to be very strict with yourself and elimminate all three of the culprits that often trigger inflammation in AI.
The worst food for causing inflammation is red meat. I've tested this myself and eating red meat will double the level of pain, and conversely cutting it out will reduce pain by 50% without a doubt. I used to belong to the Endometriosis Society and almost everyone agreed with this.
Beer is also a culprit as is white wine.
Foods fried at high levels with cheap vegetable oil are also supposed to cause high levels of inflammation.
I have never noticed any difference by omitting sugar, dairy or gluten. Are you sure??? I think this possibly only applies to people who are dairy or gluten intolerant or who have impaired glucose tolerance (eg diabetics or genetically). I really don't think it applies to the population at random whereas red meat, fat and alcohol in quantity definitely does.
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